Chapter 3:
Sasuke pulled on a Gi and Hakama, tying his hair up, under a wide hat. He wanted out of the geisha house for a while. Mama-san, said she would permit it if Sasuke was careful. You could recognize him for an Uchiha easily. Sasuke assured her it would be fine and set off on his walk. He looked around Kyoto, enjoying the beautiful houses and the lively crowd.
After a while, he got bored and started to wander towards the fields some distance from the geisha district. He walked up to a wide tree and climbed it with agility. Resting on a broad branch, he took in the view of the crowded buildings in Kyoto. He took a short nap, just enjoying the nature around him and awoke to a strange whizzing noise.
He recognized it as a sword and turned around trying to pinpoint the location. It was a few feet away from the tree. He almost fell off as he realized it was the mysterious Naruto-sama. The blond was bare chested and moving gracefully from one stance to another. Sasuke found himself mesmerized. He watched as the muscles of the blond's toned body rippled as he moved.
He didn't know how long he watched, but finally the blond sheathed his sword and sank to the ground, panting slightly. He looked up and his eyes met Sasuke's. Naruto frowned slightly trying to catch a glimpse of the face, but only the eyes glinted under the shadows of the hat.
"Who are you?" Naruto asked, suspicion flaring in his eyes. Sasuke just shrugged keeping his head down.
"I'm no-one…just a poor peasant looking for some peace. I certainly didn't expect nobleman to turn up and practice his sword." Sasuke said sounding bored. He was worried about whether Naruto would recognize him.
Naruto's frown deepened, but he said nothing and looked away. Sasuke wondered what to do…if he left it might be good, but he wanted to stay. Maybe find out more about Naruto or just spend some casual time with the blond, without that strange tense feeling cropping up. He sauntered a few feet away from the blond and sat down as well leaning back on his hands and letting his chin drop onto his chest.
Naruto looked at him again, a little curiously. "What's your name?"
"Sasuke." (1) Said the man. "What about you?"
"Uzumaki Naruto." came a slightly gruff reply.
"Ah, I have heard about you." Sasuke let a ghost of a smile flit across his face even though he knew Naruto couldn't catch it. "What's a Captain like you, doing out here all alone?"
"What is it to you, peasant? What I do is none of your business ne?" Naruto turned an unfamiliar glint in his eyes.
"Just strange…that's why I'm curious. Usually the nobles seem to like to stay in the city." Sasuke's deep voice seemed to come from the recesses of the hat.
"I want the same thing as you do…some peace. Everything is going to be chaotic soon. War will sweep Kyoto along as well, whether we welcome it or not. Everyone will be involved, regardless of whether they male or female." Naruto had a far away look. "All I want is to find some peace before it happens."
Sasuke watched him for a moment and then stood up. "The war has all ready begun, Uzumaki-sama. You are one of the few lucky one's who have the time to experience this peace, before it sweeps you along in its tide. Hope you survive the war, Captain, I'll meet you in heaven someday."
Naruto looked at him sharply, but he was all ready walking away. Naruto smiled. "Yes it has, peasant. But I doubt I can ever enter heaven."
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Sasuke sighed in relief that the blond hadn't recognized him, swearing to wear a better disguise when he had another excursion such as this one. Thank goodness that he wore the hat. He stepped into the okiya and shed his disguise. Upon entering his room he saw Kakashi longing against the wall.
The silver haired man bowed. "Sasuke-sama. Your brother has asked for a report. I am to deliver it to him immediately!"
Sasuke nodded. "Long time no see, Kakashi-san. I have finished my report, here you go."
Kakashi took it, then he looked at Sasuke. "We have word, that the geisha Kikumi is getting close to Captain Uzumaki. Your brother asked me to warn you to stay away from the man. Politely decline every invitation of his."
Sasuke shook his head. "You can tell my brother that I am not interested in men. Tell him I get my most valuable information from Uzumaki's parties, so I will not decline any of them."
It seemed like Kakashi grimaced, but one couldn't tell. "Sasuke-sama, if we attack it will be one of the Uzumaki mansions. Please heed your brother's request…"
Sasuke sighed. "Look, I am a man and I can take care of TenTen-san and myself. Please tell my brother that I will leave immediately if there is an attack."
Kakashi nodded and left. Sasuke tried to quell the sudden swell of fear in his heart…if they were attacking the Uzumaki mansions, then Naruto would die. He punched the wall; he was getting too close to the handsome, strange Captain…he was not going to let it interfere with his work.
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But I doubt I can ever enter heaven Sasuke wondered what Naruto meant by that. He found himself wondering if Naruto really had a demon inside him. Of course everyone knew demons really did exist, if in different planes of reality, but could Naruto have been desperate enough to avenge his mother, that he'd go through with anything?
Sasuke shook his head a little, why was that blond man always on his mind. Sasuke knew it could get complicated. His family on one side and Naruto on the other. He had to stop this at once! He was a disgrace to his clan if he couldn't even carry out a job as a spy without letting some blond idiot unnerve him.
The door slid open and TenTen appeared. She was carrying a small tray of Sushi. She smiled at him. "You look worried, Sasuke-kun. I heard you tell Kakashi that you wouldn't stop seeing Naruto-sama., was it really to collect information, Sasuke-kun?"
Sasuke almost snorted. Like he'd admit to her that it was for any other purpose. He nodded. "Strictly to collect information. Please do not take it any other way. I am interested in Naruto-sama's history and past, that's all."
TenTen nodded looking a little dubious. "Then you shall be pleased to hear that we are invited to the Uzumaki mansion, west of Kyoto right on the border actually…that is where their parties are held for the military. There should be a big enough gathering there."
Sasuke nodded. "Good it will mean more information."
TenTen nodded. "So I will have your kimono ready. Today, I want you to talk to Naruto-sama or keep as close to him as you can. This will be the information gold mine. I know I can count on you…"
Sasuke took a tiny bite of his sushi. "Yes you can. Ano…TenTen nee-chan, who is the man on our side that you love?"
TenTen looked a bit surprised. "Well, he is a Hyuuga, that's all I can tell you for now."
Sasuke nodded again. "Thank you."
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This time TenTen picked a kimono that did wonders. It was night black, with royal and light blue embroidery. It enhanced Sasuke's beauty a lot. With it went a royal blue obi and a kingfisher hair ornament. They hurried as they got a little delayed.
The moment they got there, TenTen tried to find Naruto. They found him talking to a red haired man and pink haired geisha. TenTen bustled up to them and thrust Sasuke forward.
"Naruto-sama! How nice to see you. Kikumi-san hasn't stopped talking about you, since you met!" TenTen exclaimed, reaching over to pat Naruto lightly on the shoulder.
Naruto smiled that charming smile again. "Yes, it is very hard to not talk about me isn't it?" the pink haired geisha, laughed and swatted his head lightly.
"Naruto-kun will always be vain! He has told me a lot about Kikumi-san too." she smiled at Sasuke. TenTen chose that moment to spot someone and disappear.
Naruto looked down at Sasuke. "This is Sakura nee-chan. She's been taking care of me, since we first met six years back. She's been like a sister to me and this is Captain Sabaku no Gaara. You must have heard of him. Another very close friend of mine."
Sasuke's eyes widened at Gaara's name. He had heard of Gaara, the man who killed without mercy. His name was whispered among Orochimaru's soldiers with fear. Sasuke could feel the man's killer aura. He bowed and said the usual nice to meet you's.
He followed them to a table, where Naruto and Gaara discussed a few strategies. Then Naruto leaned back in his chair. "But we have to consider, General Itachi. I want to be the one to murder Orochimaru…which means I will have to get through Itachi to do so."
Gaara smiled at Naruto. "Why must you always be the one in danger, Naruto?" Sasuke stiffened as the red head reached out and took a hold of Naruto's hand. "Why don't we fight side by side? I will take Itachi and you will go to Orochimaru."
"Whichever way we choose, I'm still going to have strong opponents. A war is a war; there will be no easy way to Orochimaru." Naruto said, turning his hand, so he could clasp Gaara's as well. "You need not worry, so much Gaara. I will be fine." Sasuke frowned very slightly, though all he wanted to do at the moment was whack Gaara's hand off and punch the lights out of him.
Gaara nodded and then looked at Naruto with a glint, "There is a way, and you know it as well. Why go through the whole process if you are not going to use it? I thought you would give your life to kill Orochimaru."
"That is the point Gaara…I want to kill Orochimaru, not dozens of innocent people who are doing their duty. I know I will have to kill, but I don't want to kill uselessly, when I have an advantage over them." Naruto said determination in his eyes.
Gaara pursed his lips. "That is where we differ, Naruto. If you have power, you must not hesitate to use it!"
Naruto suddenly smiled brightly. "We are supposed to be celebrating our little victory, in the north. We will get Kamakura (modern day Tokyo) soon."
Sasuke wondered how Naruto managed to have such mood swings. They moved towards the banquet when there was a shout. A fiery arrow streaked across and embedded itself in one of the serving men. Panic broke out everywhere. People started to run for the exits, not caring about each other. Arashi-san was trying to get some order. Plates were being used as shields and Sasuke suddenly found himself alone. His kimono restricted his movement and he couldn't see TenTen anywhere. It had been easy to tell his brother he would be fine, but Sasuke had never been in such a situation before. The smell of burning bodies was over powering and he couldn't help worrying about TenTen and Naruto. He bit his lip to keep from panicking. It would be all right.
People swarmed around him and he found himself being pushed, if he didn't move he was in danger of getting trampled. Suddenly a head of blond appeared before him. He took in Naruto's worried face, before his wrist was caught in a tight grip. The fire had spread all around and Sasuke realized that they were some of the only ones left.
He followed Naruto as the man wove in and out of the crowd. The heat was getting unbearable and you never knew when some burning person in their death throes would try to grab a hold of you. One of them tried to grab Naruto…the blond screamed in pain wrenching out of the bodies grip, before his clothes burned. Sasuke stared at the burn on Naruto's arm. He couldn't move too fast, the arrows still whizzing everywhere.
Sakura suddenly appeared behind them, pushing Sasuke hard. Sasuke turned to yell as a high pitched scream tore through his ears. He and Naruto turned around to see a fire spreading over Sakura. Sasuke realized she'd pushed him out of the arrow's way. He turned to see Naruto's anguished face as the blond tried to move towards the other woman. Sasuke grabbed him; there was nothing Naruto could do now. There wasn't a drop of water anywhere.
"Sakura! No!" Naruto was trying frantically to get to her. Sasuke decided that something had to be done. He slapped Naruto hard.
"Naruto! She's gone! You have to get out of here or you won't reach Orochimaru!" he yelled at the blond, trying to will away the image of the flaming body trying to get rid of the flames. Sasuke could never admit that he was scared.
Naruto looked into the dark eyes for a moment, before gathering Sasuke into his arms and running. Sasuke was grateful; he couldn't take long steps in his kimono and he knew that Naruto's arm was still hurting. They ran out and Naruto found a lone horse. He dumped Sasuke onto it and swung himself up into the saddle. They rode like mad, away from the burning building.
Sasuke wondered whether TenTen had gotten out alive. He looked up at Naruto's face, which was clouded. He put an arm around Naruto's uninjured arm. The blond didn't acknowledge it, but kept riding.
At last they stopped when they neared a small deserted cottage. Naruto looked around and then tied the horse to a post, in the shadows and hauled Sasuke off.
Sasuke wished he could get rid of his disguise and be more comfortable. They stumbled into through the door and collapsed onto the wooden floor. Naruto leaned against the wooden post of the wall and stared into space. Sasuke watched as the blond fought to keep tears in. honestly, he felt like crying too. He couldn't help feeling guilty that the woman had pushed him out of the way.
If he hadn't told his Aniki that he'd be ok, that woman probably would have left with Naruto, instead of him. A very small whimper led him out of his thoughts. He saw that the tears were streaming down Naruto's face, his eyes stricken. Sasuke moved towards the blond and hugged him. Naruto was still trying not to cry, but Sasuke could feel the blond's back heaving. First thing first, he lifted his kimono a bit, to tear a piece of cloth from his under kimono, to bind up the burn, which was still red and bleeding slightly. It looked like it might leave a scar. Naruto was still sobbing softly; Sasuke could see it wasn't because of the burn.
He looked at the blond wanting to comfort him in some way. Just looking at those grief stricken, eyes Sasuke couldn't help it. He bent down and kissed Naruto on the forehead. "It will be all right, Naruto-sama." He began to place small kisses on Naruto's face. Then he pushed Naruto up against the wall and kissed him on the lips gently, still hugging him and whispering softly.
"It will be ok, Naruto-sama…I promise." The moment the words were out of his mouth, he wondered how he was going to keep it…after all he was the enemy here. True he felt guilty about the woman and it was also true…he had to accept it… that he wanted Naruto. But it wasn't possible. Coming out of his musings he realized that the blond had fallen asleep in his arms, being utterly exhausted with everything. Sasuke gave a soft smile and maneuvered the blond on to the floor and curled up next to him. Thankfully, the padding of the kimono and under kimono's were enough to conceal what he was. At least he'd get to spend one night with the blond; even of it was soaked in blood.
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A/N:
(1) Sasuke was a hero's name, so anyone could have it. it isn't exclusive and since Naruto cant see his face, he wont be able to make the connection. I just needed masculine Sasuke around for a while.
Yeah that's it…it was longer than the others! I actually wonder how this will turn out. When do you think I should let Naruto find out? The story won't end when he does, I plan to make Naruto love Sasuke, whatever happens, but I don't know when to do so. Please visit my forum to drop off ideas or gimme ideas in the reviews ok? Luv ya lots
Taka.